When should I use sets instead of lists in Python?

When should I use sets instead of lists in Python?

You should use sets when you need unique elements and fast membership testing, while lists are better for ordered collections.

Can you give me an example of when to use a set?

Sure! If you're storing unique user IDs, a set is ideal because it automatically handles duplicates.

What about performance? Are sets faster than lists?

Yes, sets generally offer O(1) time complexity for lookups, while lists have O(n), making sets faster for membership tests.

Are there any downsides to using sets?

One downside is that sets are unordered, so if you need to maintain the order of elements, lists are the better choice.